Sunday, January 22, 2012

2012

Now that we're 3 weeks into 2012, and the boys are still sleeping at 7:30am on a Sunday morning, I've got a few minutes to update. :)

CSA - I'm finish my 7th year here! Returning to school and starting off the first 3 days back with a Passion Based Learning project was a success! I've been looking at incorporating YacaPaca! into my lessons for the last week or so - it looks promising so far. I'm also looking ahead and thinking about the planning that needs to happen this summer for our science transition AND the math TEKS updates...

HBS - Daniel is still at HBS working as an A&P. He recently found out that their GM will be moving. It'll be interesting to see who is appointed as interim and who ends up as their new GM.

Bear - Braden adjusted back to daycare fairly quickly - about a week.

At Home - We started focusing more on potty training last weekend. So far we're successful in getting him to sit on the potty willingly - it was a struggle before. Stickers and the "potty timer" (that he picked out) are wonderful tools! Braden has also made the transition to a full-size bed. This transition certainly is more comfortable for Mommy and Daddy to help him get back to sleep in HIS bed after a bad dream.


2011 Holiday Update

Christmas:
We had fun at the Carroll Family Christmas in Weimar. Braden loves his Mr. Potato Head! The adult gift exchange was entertaining.

Braden and I traveled to Gran's the week before Christmas. We got to help finish wrapping gifts and relax a bit before additional travel began.
  • We had Christmas with Grandad on Christmas Eve. Braden gave Wyatt some puzzles and Braden received a rocking chair that Grandad painted.
  • We opted to only take gifts to Nannie & Papa's for those that were not going to be at Gran's after Christmas (and a couple for the kiddos). Our side ended up staying at N&P's while Teri's clan went to church on Christmas Eve - flip! Christmas morning seemed rushed. Everyone hardly had time to wake up and get a drink before gifts were being piled in front of us - annoying. Braden loves his puppy guitar and dump truck! We ended up finishing the gift opening quickly. As we were preparing to leave, Shanna and Clayton called to let us know they would be stopping by so we stayed to wait for them.
  • After traveling back to Gran's Christmas day we had dinner and resumed gift exchange. The kids made off like bandits - of course. Braden now has a fairly complete band set-up: kitty piano, puppy guitar, bongo, drum pads, and other miscellaneous hand-held percussion items = a seldom quiet house! :)
After Christmas, we opted to stay at Gran's through New Year's Eve. We came back on New Year's Day so we would have some time to unpack, organize, and relax before returning to school.

I would say that the Winter Holidays were a success!